US 11,381,050 B2 · Laser cavity optical alignment

Abstract

The disclosure describes aspects of laser cavity optical alignment, and more particularly, in situ alignment of optical devices in an optical system for replacement or upgrade. In one aspect, a method for optical alignment in an optical system is described that includes providing, via a positioning system, an optical beam to measure surface features and position of a first device under test (DUT), removing the first DUT from the optical system, placing a second DUT in the optical system at substantially the same position from which the first DUT was removed, providing, via the positioning system, an optical beam to measure surface features and position of the second DUT, aligning the second DUT based on the measurements made of the first DUT and the second DUT, and verifying operation of the second DUT in the optical system. The DUT can be an optical device such as an output optical coupler.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An optical alignment system, the system comprising:

a positional component including:
a laser input port configured to receive an optical beam;
one or more alignment mirrors configured to redirect the optical beam to a beam splitter;
the beam splitter configured to redirect the optical beam to a measurement tool probe;
the measurement tool probe configured to redirect the optical beam to a device under test (DUT) within an optical system;
and
a long travel translation stage configured to align the optical beam from the measurement tool probe with the DUT,
wherein:
the measurement tool probe is further configured to receive an output optical beam from the DUT,
the beam splitter is further configured to direct the output optical beam to an output of the positional component,
the optical system is a laser, and
the positional component is configured to be at least partially positioned within a laser cavity of the laser to provide the optical beam to measure surface features, position, or both of the DUT while the DUT is within the laser cavity of the laser.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Laser cavity optical alignment

Life of this patent

Laser cavity optical alignment

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20